Happ hits leadoff HR, Boyd tosses 6 innings to help the Cubs beat…

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: | Updated:

ST. LOUIS (AP) – Ian Happ hit a leadoff home run and drove in three, Matthew Boyd gave up three hits in six scoreless innings and the Chicago Cubs beat the St. Louis Cardinals 8-0 on Wednesday night.

Reese McGuire and Kyle Tucker also homered for the Cubs, who snapped a three-game losing streak.

Boyd (7-3), who struck out three and did not issue a walk, has allowed two or fewer runs in each of his last six starts.

Ryan Brasier, Michael Fulmer and Porter Hodge combined to toss three scoreless innings of relief to close out the Cubs´ seventh shutout of the season.

Erick Fedde (3-7) allowed a season high-tying seven runs on eight hits and three walks in 3 2/3 innings for the Cardinals.

Garrett Hampson made his Cardinals debut starting in center field before moving to shortstop and tossing a scoreless inning in his second career pitching appearance.

Chicago Cubs’ Ian Happ, right, heads to first on a two-run single as teammate Matt Shaw, left, jogs in to score during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

McGuire hit his fifth home run of the season to right-center field to drive in Michael Busch and give Chicago a 4-0 lead in the second.

Dansby Swanson doubled to center field to lead off the second inning and scored on Busch´s RBI single.

Happ hit the first pitch down the right field line for his 10th career leadoff home run and his third this season. Happ has hit nine of his 12 homers this season in a 19-game stretch since June 5.

The Cubs are the only team in the National League and one of three major league teams along with the Detroit Tigers and Houston Astros who have not had a four-game losing streak this season.

The Cubs will activate LHP Shota Imanaga (3-2, 2.82 ERA) off the injured list to make his first start since May 4. The Cardinals will counter with RHP Andre Pallante (5-3, 4.48) in the final game of the teams´ four-game series Thursday.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Matthew Boyd throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Erick Fedde throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Chicago Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong doubles during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Willson Contreras takes up his position during the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Related Posts

Astros GM Hints Major Move Involving Paredes Or Walker

IMAGE: Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker (8) forced out at first base against the Los Angeles Angels during the sixth inning at Angel Stadium. / Jonathan…

Tony Vitello Shakes Up Giants With Bold Move at First Workout

IMAGE: San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Logan Webb (62) throws against the Colorado Rockies in the fifth inning at Oracle Park. / Eakin Howard / Imagn Images…

Cubs Sign Former First-Round Pick Eyeing Big League Comeback

IMAGE: Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Kyle Wright (30) poses for a photo during media day. / Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Imagn Images The Cubs are taking a…

Rangers Eye Former MVP After Missing Out on Two Key Bats

IMAGE: Imagn Images The Texas Rangers have made some solid moves this offseason, particularly on the mound, but there’s still a noticeable gap on the offensive side-specifically,…

Grim Reality Hits Cardinals Fans Hard – Analysts Are Ruthlessly Tearing Apart Their Disastrous Offseason

Getty The teardown is underway in St. Louis with Chaim Bloom at the helm. When the winter dealings consist of selling off every notable veteran on the…

Cubs Just Signed a Former MLB Wins Leader to a Minor League Deal – The Regret Is Real for Fans Right Now

The Chicago Cubs continue to add to a very good rotation. On Tuesday, the Cubs signed right-hander Kyle Wright to a minor-league contract and an invite to…